Cinderella's Secret Witch Diaries Box Set: Lost, Stolen, Found

June-3

“We have not seen much of each other as of late and I wished to be certain.” She saw my meal on the table and stood by the doorway. “Maybe it would be best if I came back after you have eaten?”

I had not seen her in such a nervous state before and my heart went out to her. “Please, sit with me and we will talk and eat.”

She curtsied before me and sat the table close beside me. I saw with clear vision that our argument had caused a deeper rift between us than I had thought. I would need to take care to repair our friendship. “Would you like some cheese?”

“No, I truly want to know if you are well.”

“The witch would not see us.”

“How is that possible?” asked Clarissa.

“With magic, she protected her home so that the men-at-arms could not break through her door and window.” I passed the bowl of fresh strawberries, knowing she loved the fruit.

Clarissa accepted and popped a ripped berry into her mouth. “The queen then went to the door and it opened but …” I paused, on purpose, and ate a berry, taking a moment to relish the sweet flavor.

My friend swatted at my hand and laughed. I ate another strawberry and she cried out, “Cin, come now, do not toy with me so! What did the queen see inside?”

I smiled and then continued, “She found only this note.”

I handed the scroll to Clarissa. She wiped her hands and with great gentleness unrolled it. She read the words written with great care and asked, “What does it mean?”

“I do not know, but the queen told us that the house was empty inside except for the scroll.” I took a sip of wine and then leaned back, looking out the window. “She told us to return on June 17 during the full moon.”

Clarissa took a strawberry and dipped it into some cream. “I would like to meet this witch.” She sat back in her chair. “A woman who can defy the queen and all of her guard has great power.”

“I know.” Fairy Godmother, I remembered your warning but remained quiet.

“What will you do?”

“I will do my best to avoid the queen for the next few days.”

We laughed together and spent the rest of the evening healing our damaged friendship. She had no news of Henri and I changed the topic, thinking it best that I not show my concern. Clarissa has been my closest friend for the last few years, and she knows me well. There would be plenty of time over the next week to talk more.

I do wonder, though, of the magic that the witch has and worry what might come to pass if I do not follow her instruction when we return next week. Yet today has been long, rainy, and I am tired. Bonne nuit!

June 11

I have kept quiet for the past several days, yet I can no longer keep close my thoughts. I have searched for Henri, and Joséphine informed me that he would be in Paris for some time.

I miss him. He and I have spent much time together, and I wish to see him before we see the witch. His smile and warmth are absent in my life and I miss him. I will write nothing else today as I have written enough.

Dear Cinderella,

It is with great joy that I tell you that I am on the last leg of my journey back to you. Your patience has been so great and the trials that you have gone through are nearly over. In the darkest part of night, have hope, as I am almost returned to you.

Your heart is heavy, but I would advise that you allow yourself to love. Listen to your heart, for it will never steer you wrong. When you see the witch next week, be on your guard but know where your heart lies and steel yourself to what you desire.

The path is in front of you, you only simply need to make your choice. When we are reconciled, I will protect you and make certain that you are safe. Be strong, as our time of reunion is almost at hand.

Yours,

The Faerie Godmother

June 14

Thank you, thank you for your letter. The words you have written have helped ease my heart. I also have good news to share with you, as Henri has returned! I sought him out and after dinner this evening he and I walked the gardens. I will be honest with you. I pretended to be not feeling well and went to bed early, yet then met him at the Temple of Love late at night.

When I arrived, the near full moon hung high in the sky and its light reflected off the pond. On seeing him, my heart soared and I gave him a chaste embrace. “I am happy to meet with you once again.”

He returned my embrace and asked, “Are you free to be with me now?”

“None know where I am, so I am safe.” From behind where he stood, a fox, appearing to have silver fur in the moonlight, crept out of the bushes and trotted off to his hunt.

Henri watched the fox go and kept quiet for a moment too long for my patience. “Joséphine has said that in a few days you return to the witch, as she refused to see the queen.”

“Yes, that is true.” I took his hand in mine and asked, “Where have you been all this time? I have missed you.”

“I had some personal business to attend.” He turned away.

“Are you angry at me for words I said or how I have treated you?”

He looked back at me and shook his head. “No, I am not.”

“Then why are you so cold toward me?” I squeezed his hand. “Why is there such winter in your heart?”

“Your worry is unfounded as I am fine.” He did not let go of my hand. “The days have been long, as I have had much work to do and tonight I am tired.”

“Are you certain that you are not angry with me?” I asked.

“I am not.” He looked up at the moon and sighed. “Tomorrow let Clarissa, you, and I have a day of fun in the garden. We will be merry, and in the daylight I will be much refreshed after some rest.”

“I would like that.” I let his hand go and headed back to sleep.

I am happy he has returned and that we have seen each other. My heart is full of hope for tomorrow as I, too, need sleep to help me feel refreshed. I know Henri is troubled, yet he will not speak with me, and I will respect him. However, I would be false to say that my heart did not soar to see him again. I feel calm and at peace. I had missed him so. I will be patient, for tomorrow will be our day to enjoy. Good night!

June 15

Today, Clarissa, Henri, and I took a long walk on the Château’s grounds, and we enjoyed the warmer weather. Clarissa decided that she would be in charge for today. The rules were simple: No talking about the witch, the queen, or the prince. I thought her rules fair, and we all agreed to adhere to them with the utmost care. Around midday we collapsed in sheer exhaustion at the Temple of Love and leaned against the pillars, looking out at the water. Henri had brought a basket with him and we sat down, eating cheese, bread, and some tasty cured meats. And having great foresight, he brought two bottles of wine. Though we did not have glasses, I am not too proud to admit that we took turns drinking from the bottle.

To frolic in the sun and not worry was much needed medicine for me. I had a wonderful day of delight. I laughed most when Henri stood next to the statue of Cupid and pretended to share a drink with him. I was relaxed and at peace without worrying about my future.

After we ate, we sat together, Clarissa and I, listening to Henri play a song on his lute. It was a rising song of joy and goodness, inspiring Clarissa to pull me up and dance. We spun around, a little too fast, and I knew her intentions. She kept pulling me away from the Temple, dancing toward the pond until she lost her footing and pulled me in. I went along with the charade and splashed her.

Laughing at us, Henri came over with his lute and sang louder until Clarissa and I exited the water and chased him until he surrendered and allowed us to pull him into the water with us. When we finished playing in the water, I chased him out of the pond and ran after him. He waited for me behind several large bushes and grabbed me. I squealed in laughter, but he pulled me close, kissed me full on the mouth, and then took me in his arms. He smiled and then pushed me away and ran off.

I did not know how to respond, so caught off guard from his display of emotion was I. Clarissa found me breathing deeply, leaning against a tree, and she grabbed my hand leading me back to the Temple.

The sun was warm, so we lay down in the shade of the temple and relaxed. Henri wandered back, singing a song, and after some more wine and another hour of drying off, we headed back home, content and happy.

Twilight had changed all the colors of the day to a magical world of orange, blue, and pink clouds. I imagined fairies flying around, changing the palace grounds to a world of vivid imagination, and I closed my eyes and stopped. I took in a breath of air and laughed. Clarissa thought me ill and that I was delirious, yet I simply was happy and at peace. I had a wonderful day with two great friends.

I fell asleep early but awoke in the middle of the night. I went to my closet and found my glass slippers, thinking of you. Taking them in my arms, I went outside and they began to softly glow. Was this your message to me, letting me know that you were on your way to me? Their light soothed me and felt warm and tingly on my hands. The further I walked away from the Château, the brighter they became. I put them on, and they continued to glow, pulsing now, calling me away. I walked for a bit, but being outside in the middle of the night, wearing only my nightgown and glowing glass slippers, I decided to turn around and come back to my room.

I stopped to take in the beauty of the night and I crossed paths with that fox again from the other night. On seeing me, he stopped and waited, looking at me. He appeared a brilliant, beautiful silver in the moonlight, with a wide and bushy tail. A noise off in the bushes startled him and he ran off.

Before returning to my room, I glanced up at the sky into the deep darkness littered with tiny pinpoints of light. Yet up ahead by the trees surrounding the Château, I could see flashes from dozens of fireflies. I did not fully understand why my slippers had begun to glow, but my guess is that you had sent me a message of hope. I returned to my room and will now go to sleep.

We will see what tomorrow brings. Thank you for today. Thank you. Good night.

June 16

The queen asked me to attend her today. Tomorrow we will visit the witch again, and I am in a concerned state of mind and anxious. I had not seen the queen since we last visited the witch, and I did not know her mind as she had remained secluded and distant. When I entered her chambers, I curtsied low, waiting to be spoken to.